VK4FI is a Advanced Class (Full Call) amateur radio station operated by Steven Dudley. I was first licenced as Amateur Radio Operator in 2010. In that year I gained my Foundation Amateur Radio Licence and was issued the call VK4FSRD. I was a late stater to Amateur gaining my first licence at 49, however, I have been involved in Radio and Communications since I first got the bug back the the early days of CB radio in Australia in 1977.

I was on CB for a number of years and then in 1984 I enlisted in the Australian Army and was allocated to the Royal Australian Signals Corps. I served in a number of locations within Australia and Overseas during my 24 plus years of service in the Corps. I finished my fulltime military career as a Warrant Officer Class Two, Information Systems Manager in July 2008. I am still serving at the same rank and position as a Reserve Soldier (part-time).

I did plan on studying for a Amateur Licence back in the 1970's but work and personal life was more important, so it was only in 2010, that I again got the bug and decided that I needed to do something about getting a licence. So within 4 weeks of deciding that the time was right, I had done some quick study of the current regulations and sat the exam. I passed and was licenced as VK4FSRD.

In 2017 after 6 odd years a a F Call licence holder I thought it was about time that I upgraded and started playing with all the digital modes and open the horizons on new bands and a little more power. I started studying to upgrade and in the process I spoke to a local operator in Toowoomba (VK4TJ - John) who told me the cheapest option to a full call was to sit a US General Grade licence and then apply for a Australian Full call via the reciprocal licence agreement. I looked at this and decided that indeed John was correct and this was by far the cheapest option. I figured I could better spend my money on Antennas and Radios then on the exam fee.

So on the 25th March 2017, with a few more hopefuls, I sat the US Technician Exam, gaining 91%. And then during the same morning sat the US General Exam, again getting 91%. It was then just a matter of waiting for the paperwork to process and for the licence to appear on the FCC database. On the 10th April 2017, KI7MMT appeared on the FCC database and became my call. I then applied for a US vanity Call and was granted KS7EVE. On the 12th April 2017 I applied to the WIA for the Full Call (Advanced) Licence by way of the reciprocal licence agreement. On the 19th April 2017 I was informed by the WIA that they had recommended to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) that I be granted a Licence and the Callsign VK4FI. On the 08 May 2017, the licence appeared on the ACMA website.

I am married to Sharan, we were married in 1985 and have 4 adult children. Our oldest Daughter and youngest Son are living in Toowoomba, a short drive from our QTH, we have a son living in Brisbane about a 2 hour drive from the QTH and our youngest Daughter is living the dream by living and working in London - UK, a short 24 hour plane ride from the QTH.